Growing matter(s): Rethinking Materiality Through Living Systems

Debuting at Milan Design Week, Growing matter(s) emerged as a multisensory pavilion that redefined materiality through living systems. As the year draws to a close, the project stands out as a significant exploration of bio-based materials, positioning mycelium not as a static construction product but as an active design collaborator shaping architectural form.

Mycelium as a Design Agent

The pavilion was composed of 80 unique spherical elements, each shaped by the natural growth behavior of mycelium. Influenced by environmental conditions such as humidity and airflow, no two spheres were identical. Surface textures evolved organically—ranging from smooth and porous to cracked—embracing variability and unpredictability as intrinsic design features rather than constraints.

Material Composition and Growth Process

The spheres were grown from a substrate of hemp, flour, and sugar, with experimental additions of beer dregs to introduce material complexity. Following sterilization, the forms were inoculated with Pleurotus Eryngii and Pleurotus Ostreatus strains. Growth conditions were carefully managed to produce varied outcomes: some elements were cultivated for mushroom growth, others dried for structural stability, while select spheres were left untreated to continue evolving over time.

Collaboration Across Research and Practice

Growing matter(s) was developed through a multidisciplinary collaboration involving Politecnico di Milano, MaterialBalance.Research, RIMOND, Rambøll Fonden / Ramboll Foundation, and Spore (Peter Oei). The project exemplifies how academic research, material science, and architectural experimentation can converge to challenge conventional construction paradigms.

Strategic Significance for Sustainable Design

The installation highlights a future where material intelligence, sustainability, and design experimentation intersect. By allowing biological processes to directly inform form, Growing matter(s) proposes alternative pathways for low-impact construction and climate-responsive architecture rooted in living systems.